AustLit

Revusical.

Billed as 'George Sorlie's all-Australian pantomime' (Brisbane Courier 12 December 1931, p.2), the storyline 'revolves around the vicissitudes experienced by Matilda Grundy in her ultimately successful search for her hero [while] the machinations of the scheming Dame Grundy are effectively repulsed by the Fairy Wattle' (28 December 1931, p.7). The principal boy role (played by Yvonne Banvard) involved multiple character impersonations: 'The Aussie Lad,' 'Dick Whittington,' 'Robinson Crusoe', and 'Boy Blue.'

Produced on a large scale with numerous original dances, comic interludes, picturesque settings, an extensive musical programme, and a real circus (including performing horses, dogs, a donkey, clowns, and trapeze artists), the pantomime also drew much praise from the Brisbane Courier for its transformation scene depicting Queensland's primary industries and Australia's emblematic flowers. Local allusions ('The Prince of Pinkenba,' for example) and topicalities were also introduced into the storyline.

The musical programme comprised twenty-two songs and ballets, including 'You Should See My Neighbour's Daughter' (sung by George Sorlie), 'Rip Van Winkle' (Percy Mackay), and 'The Dance of the Mummies' (ballet). A review in the Brisbane Courier also notes that the production included 'George Sorlie's musical tour of the world per medium of the orchestra' (21 December 1931, p.3).

Described in Everyone's as "a new Australian play" (12 Sept. 1928, 45), and "Australian in sentiment" (19 Sept. 1928, p.45), the Sydney Morning Herald similarly notes that this 'new Australian comedy… [is] Aussie through and through' (21 Sept. 1928, p.2), and a 'hilarious Australian comedy of sunshine and laughter' (28 Sept. 1928, p.3). The Herald also provides some insight into the book:

It is a very plain story about a misunderstood hero, with a square jaw, sad blue eyes, and the other characters are those familiar in melodrama. In short, My Pal Ginger is the old story in which the hero, after suffering silently the suspicion that he is leading a life of deception, finds his reputation restored at the eleventh hour. The drama has the additional attraction of being about Australia. Mr. George Sorlie played as the hero's pal, Ginger, who, though he has spout most of his life in prison, has a heart of gold ('My Pal Ginger.' 24 September 1928, p.7).

In relation to the lead character, the The Sun] (Sydney) describes Sorlie's portrayal as 'something new to this type of play. He was a little of Ginger Mick with much more polish about him - a Don Quixote of Surry Hills, a Robin Hood of the streets, who finds himself suddenly in the bush' ('My Pal,' p.6).

The production, which opened George Sorlie's season at the Grand Opera House in September 1928, is said to have also featured the latest song numbers and introduced many novelties (Everyone's 19 Sept. 1928, p.45). Among the songs were 'Broken Hearted,' 'Blue Heaven,' and 'Magnolia' (all sung by George Sorlie).

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]